The Best Vibrators

The multicolor, Tokidoki-branded version of our budget pick has been discontinued and replaced with a more subdued, all-gray toy with a small Fifty Shades of Grey logo.

The multicolor, Tokidoki-branded version of our budget pick has been discontinued and replaced with a more subdued, all-gray toy with a small Fifty Shades of Grey logo.

We’ve also removed one of our previous picks, the Womanizer W500, which was discontinued.

Your guide

Bianca Jarvis

After 75 hours of research—including reading hundreds of reviews of 55 best-selling models, interviewing sex researcher Debra Herbenick and five other experts, crowdsourcing opinions from enthusiasts, and analyzing data from seven testers who tried eight different models—as well as six months of follow-up testing, we’ve concluded that the cordless Magic Wand Rechargeable is the best vibrator for most people.

Our pick

Our testers agreed that no toy offers the same level of power and intensity as the Magic Wand. The Rechargeable is considerably more expensive than the Original version, but it’s worth the additional cost.

Buying Options

Many of our testers described the Magic Wand Original as their “go-to” vibrator for clitoral stimulation, a toy that was almost always guaranteed to induce an orgasm when others could not. The Magic Wand Rechargeable is twice as expensive as the Original, but its easy-to-clean silicone head, rechargeable battery, quieter motor, and greater variation in intensity and vibration patterns make it worth the extra cost. The Magic Wand has been a favorite of sex-toy enthusiasts for 40-plus years for good reason. The toy is durable as well as functional: Its maker, Vibratex, offers a one-year warranty, but several testers have reported that their Magic Wands have stood up to years of daily use without breaking.

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Runner-up

Similar in shape, size, and price to our top pick (the Magic Wand Rechargeable) but more aesthetically pleasing. The Doxy is more than twice the price of the Magic Wand Original, but has a longer cord and more speed settings.

Buying Options

If you can’t get the Magic Wand Rechargeable, the Doxy Massager has a similar price and rivals that model in power, but you must plug it in to run it. For anyone who doesn’t mind the cord, the Doxy is a sleek and colorful alternative to the clinical-looking Magic Wand. Our tester found its control panel to be easier and more intuitive to use, but preferred the shape and texture of the Magic Wand’s firmer, more angular head.

Buying Options

The Fifty Shades of Grey Charlie Tango Classic Vibrator is quite powerful and versatile for its price. This easy-to-operate toy offers three strengths of vibration and four patterns, and runs on two AA batteries. Its cordless oblong shape makes it great for both external and internal stimulation during solo and partner play.

Also great

This toy’s oscillating stem is the best thing we have found for focusing intense stimulation on the most sensitive parts of the vulva and clitoris. However, the sensation may not satisfy those who prefer the more diffuse, broader stimulation of larger toys like the Magic Wand.

Buying Options

If you enjoy very focused clitoral stimulation, the small but powerful Zumio Classic vibrator is highly effective for pinpointing the precise spot where you desire the most sensation. The Zumio has the narrowest tip of any vibrator we have seen, concentrating and intensifying the vibrations within a relatively small surface area. The small, rounded tip and lightweight, easy-to-control handle also make it a great choice for partner play, or for people with arthritis or limited use of their hands.

Everything we recommend

Our pick

Our testers agreed that no toy offers the same level of power and intensity as the Magic Wand. The Rechargeable is considerably more expensive than the Original version, but it’s worth the additional cost.

Buying Options

Runner-up

Similar in shape, size, and price to our top pick (the Magic Wand Rechargeable) but more aesthetically pleasing. The Doxy is more than twice the price of the Magic Wand Original, but has a longer cord and more speed settings.

Buying Options

Also great

This toy’s oscillating stem is the best thing we have found for focusing intense stimulation on the most sensitive parts of the vulva and clitoris. However, the sensation may not satisfy those who prefer the more diffuse, broader stimulation of larger toys like the Magic Wand.

Why you should trust us

I’m a full-time writer and sex educator who has tested more than 150 different sex toys in the past 15 years. I began blogging about sex toys in 2011, and I worked as a toy tester and copywriter for the retailer The Stockroom for several years.

I received my Master of Public Health degree from Indiana University in 2014, where I assisted research scientist Debra Herbenick with academic and consumer research related to sex-toy use. While at Indiana University, I worked as a blogger and sex educator at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction.

We followed up our preliminary research with interviews with the following experts:

Debra Herbenick, PhD, author, sex educator, and research scientist at Indiana University, and writer of Wirecutter’s previous guide to vibrators

Should you buy a clitoral vibrator?

Sex toys can be a godsend for people who are unable to reach orgasm easily from manual masturbation, oral sex, or penetrative intercourse alone. But buying sex toys can be an intimidating experience for newbies and experienced users alike, and not just due to the buyer’s shyness. High-quality sex toys are often expensive and nonreturnable, you have hundreds (if not thousands) of sex-toy models to choose from, and the criteria for what makes a good sex toy can be highly subjective. Determining what toy will work best for you based on reviews can be difficult, because every person’s sexual response is different. Nobody wants to spend $100-plus on a toy that turns out to be a dud.

We’ve tried to focus on toys that will work well for most people, including beginners. We’ve also included a budget option for anyone who is looking to test the waters before diving in.

Nobody wants to spend $100-plus on a toy that turns out to be a dud.

Don’t be distressed if you don’t see your favorite toy represented in our picks. We are presenting the items that stood out after we considered hundreds of models. We recognize that many other models not addressed in this article are also great for some people, and that our pick may not necessarily be the best choice for all people. Our picks are simply the models that the majority (if not all) of our testers enjoyed the most.

A long battery life, whether the device is battery-operated or rechargeable

User-friendliness and intuitive functions

If a toy was rechargeable, versatile, durable, small (most of my sample, though not all, preferred smaller toys), affordable, waterproof, easy to clean, or covered by a solid warranty, we considered those attributes to be bonuses. Many users also desired an aesthetically pleasing toy with multiple color options. Features that we considered overrated included multiple vibration patterns, fancy packaging, or a gimmick such as a remote control, as well as a charging system (if it didn’t work well).

Dealbreakers included poor-quality materials, a short battery life, a tendency to break easily, a lack of power, and a design that was awkward, inconvenient, or painful to use.

In total we considered 55 different models. For the first edition of this guide, we tested five of the most popular toys that met our criteria (which we’ll discuss further in the following sections). In annual updates to this guide, originally published in 2015, we’ve tested a total of seven additional newly released toys.

Running the toys at maximum speed to test the battery life. (G-spot vibrators also shown.) Video: Bianca Jarvis

Our clitoral-toy testers (across two rounds of testing) consisted of seven people with vaginas, ranging in age from early 20s to mid-30s, a mix of people who identify as queer, heterosexual, and bisexual.1 All had used vibrators in the past and were reliably able to achieve orgasm through vibrator use, though some were more experienced than others. We instructed our testers to use each toy at least once, preferably twice or more, and to also incorporate these toys into partner play when possible.2

In addition, we independently tested interactions with silicone lubricant (more about this topic in the Care and maintenance section), evaluated battery life by cycling the devices on and off for 20 minutes until they died, assessed overheating by letting them run for extended periods, and tested the function of waterproof vibrators.

Our pick: Magic Wand Rechargeable

Photo: Michael Hession

Our pick

Our testers agreed that no toy offers the same level of power and intensity as the Magic Wand. The Rechargeable is considerably more expensive than the Original version, but it’s worth the additional cost.

Buying Options

We recommend the Magic Wand Rechargeable, an improved version of the ultrapowerful Magic Wand Original. The cordless Rechargeable is well worth the additional investment, as it offers twice as many levels of stimulation as the Original model, plus an assortment of vibration patterns, an easy-to-clean silicone head, and a rechargeable battery that works with or without the power cord with no significant decrease in power.

Virtually all of our testers reported that the Magic Wand was the only toy in our test group that could consistently bring them to an intense climax quickly, intuitively, effectively, and predictably. In an essay published in the book Mothers Who Think, sex expert Susie Bright calls the Magic Wand a “miracle” because its power enables users to have an orgasm within 60 seconds. In fact, multiple academic research studies have found that prescribing the Magic Wand is one of the most effective therapies for women who struggle with chronic anorgasmia, or the inability to reach orgasm.

The Rechargeable version of the Magic Wand works without the power cord and with no significant decrease in power. Photo: Michael Hession

The new rechargeable battery offers longevity as well as strength, according to sex-toy reviewer Epiphora, who told us: “It runs for 4.5 hours straight on a single charge; I tested it.” (We found that it lasted 3.5 hours at maximum speed, spread out over a series of 20-minute intervals; it may last longer at lower speeds.) If it runs out of power, you can connect it to the removable AC cord and continue using it.

Our testers agreed, with comments like “It always makes me orgasm; never a letdown” and “Makes me climax every time.”

The Magic Wand was the only toy in our test group that could consistently bring testers to an intense climax quickly, intuitively, effectively, and predictably.

The Magic Wand Rechargeable offers four strength settings, two more than the Original model. Owners who might have previously needed to use the Original through a blanket or pants may find the lower, gentler settings of the Rechargeable model to be more comfortable.

Testers reported that the long handle made it comfortable to hold for long periods of time without hand cramping or numbness. The switch sat high enough on the handle that testers were unlikely to switch it off accidentally during use (which is an issue with some of the smaller rechargeable models).

Some testers said that they disliked the texture of the Original version’s white vinyl head. The Rechargeable features a softer, smoother silicone head, which is much easier to clean and may feel more comfortable against the body. Nonporous (it will not trap bacteria) and less prone to discoloration, the Rechargeable’s silicone head eliminates any previous concerns about phthalates, a plasticizer in the Original’s vinyl head.

Another great aspect of this toy is its versatility: It can stimulate penises and nipples as well as vulvas, and it can convert into a vibrating insertable G-spot/P-spot stimulator or a penile-masturbation sleeve when you purchase and add one of many attachments designed to fit over the head. It also works well as a whole-body massager, and owners report that it can help soothe menstrual cramps. In the unlikely event that you buy this toy and hate it as a clitoral vibrator, you can always use it on your back.

In addition, we found that the Rechargeable version was quieter than the Original model—it still emitted a loud hum, but in our tests it was quiet enough that when we put the toy on a bed and closed the door, it wasn’t audible through the door in the same way that the Original was.

Manufacturer Vibratex offers a one-year warranty for the Magic Wand Rechargeable, but many of our testers reported that the Original could stand up to daily use over the course of many years, unlike budget models (such as the CalExotics Silver Bullet) that tend to burn out after a few months of consistent use. Thus far we have not experienced any issues with the Magic Wand Original version released in 2013, or the Magic Wand Rechargeable model released in 2015.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The primary complaints we received from our testers about the Magic Wand Rechargeable related to its large size (the Rechargeable model is 13 inches long with a nearly 2½-inch-wide head), which can make it difficult to use in certain positions during partnered intercourse.

Unlike some of the other toys we tested, the Rechargeable is not waterproof. This makes it a bit harder to clean, as you cannot submerge it, but you can easily wipe off the silicone cap with a soapy washcloth or tissues and toy-cleaner spray.

Although the Original model also tended to heat up with prolonged use during our motor test, we ran the Rechargeable at full speed for 20 minutes and found that it was not significantly warm. Unfortunately the Rechargeable has an automatic shutoff function at the 20-minute mark, which can be distressing if you don’t expect it (one of our testers thought the toy had run out of battery life when this happened). The manufacturer recommends letting the toy cool off after 20 minutes to prolong the motor’s life, but you can continue to use it at this point by simply turning it back on again. Given how intense the vibrations are, many people will not want to use it for more than 20 minutes straight regardless.

The Magic Wand Rechargeable’s control panel is slightly less intuitive and easy to use compared with the dual switch of the Original model, but nevertheless it’s fairly straightforward. The first button turns the vibrator on, the second button cycles through speeds ranging from relatively gentle to face-meltingly intense, and the third button cycles through four vibration patterns: a long-short-pulse pattern, a long-slow-pulse pattern, a short-fast-pulse pattern, and a low-to-high “wave” pattern. The console lights up with blue bars to indicate the strength of the vibration. You could accidentally hit the wrong button during play, but switching back to the correct mode is easy enough.

And of course, you have aesthetics to consider. A beautiful, elegant toy this is not, but it gets the job done. One tester put it best: “No [it’s not attractive], but as a sexual health academic, I know that this is the ‘OG’ of vibrators, and I respect it for keeping its original, functional design.” The Rechargeable version, though a little sleeker, has basically the same appearance as the Original model.

Long-term test notes

The Magic Wand Rechargeable has remained the go-to vibrator for many of our testers. One of the best aspects of this toy is that if it runs out of juice, it can still work while it is plugged in and recharging. However, one tester complained that the four settings weren’t identical to the two settings of the corded Original model, and that she wished it had something in between the second and third setting.

Runner-up: Doxy Massager

Photo: Michael Hession

Runner-up

Similar in shape, size, and price to our top pick (the Magic Wand Rechargeable) but more aesthetically pleasing. The Doxy is more than twice the price of the Magic Wand Original, but has a longer cord and more speed settings.

Buying Options

The Doxy Massager is similar to the Magic Wand in power, function, and price, but it offers several distinct advantages: It’s more aesthetically pleasing (sleeker looking and available in four colors, as opposed to the Magic Wand’s clinical white), and it offers twice as many vibration speeds (eight, as opposed to the Magic Wand Rechargeable’s four). However, unlike the Magic Wand Rechargeable, the Doxy still needs to be plugged into the wall to operate, and the softer texture of the head has a tendency to reduce the perceived intensity of the vibrations.

One potential advantage of the Doxy Massager is that it offers a faster maximum speed than the Magic Wand (9,000 rpm versus 6,300 rpm), but to our tester and other reviewers, it did not feel stronger than the Magic Wand in use. This perception may be due to the fact that the Doxy produces vibrations felt more on the surface of the skin, while the Magic Wand provides more intense, penetrating sensations. The reviewer at the Slutty Girl Problems blog echoes our tester’s experience: “I don’t think the Doxy was more powerful. It does seem to have more vibration speed, but not necessarily more vibration intensity.”

The Doxy’s 9-foot cord is significantly longer than those of other models we looked at. Photo: Michael Hession

The body of the Doxy Massager is a smidgen longer than that of the Magic Wand (by about a half inch), and the 9-foot cord is significantly longer than the 6-foot cord of both the Original and Rechargeable Magic Wand models. Comparing with the Magic Wand Rechargeable’s control panel, our tester found the location and design of the Doxy’s to be more convenient and intuitive. The Doxy has three half-inch-wide buttons, including an easy-to-press power button that remembers the last setting you used with the toy (for example, if you used it on the highest setting last time, it boots up to that setting when you press the power button the next time). The other two buttons adjust the intensity up and down in increments. Holding down the power button when firing up the toy activates a “pulse” mode that you can dial up and down, but our tester found that getting this mode to engage was sometimes tricky.

The Doxy’s control panel is farther from the base of the toy’s head (about 5 inches away, versus the Magic Wand’s 4½ inches), so it’s hard to press buttons accidentally in the heat of the moment. You can also more easily dial the intensity up and down in gradual increments, rather than having to press the same button repeatedly to cycle through the four intensity settings of the Magic Wand Rechargeable. Unlike on the Magic Wand, the Doxy Massager’s control panel doesn’t light up, so it may present less of an obnoxious visual distraction in low-light settings. The Doxy’s buttons are clearly embossed in a way that makes them easy to navigate by touch alone, a design that’s ideal for playing in the dark, or for folks who are sight impaired (or simply not wearing their glasses).

Our tester also found that though the Doxy had a faster motor than the Magic Wand, the shape and texture of the head caused the vibrations to feel more diffuse. Whereas the head of the Magic Wand is made of dense cylindrical silicone, the Doxy Massager’s squishier dome-shaped head is made of medical-grade PVC, which our tester found to create a buzzier sensation than her rumbly Magic Wand. Doxy also sells an upgrade model with a silicone head, the Doxy Die Cast, but it’s significantly more expensive than the Magic Wand Rechargeable.

Buying Options

Our tester initially purchased the now-discontinued Girl Power Vibrator, from the British sex-toy retailer Lovehoney’s collaboration with Italian lifestyle brand Tokidoki, as a cheap and cheerful collector’s item. Toys this stylish tend not to be affordably priced and typically don’t work well, but this vibrator is the exception to that rule. Our tester loved the toy’s versatile shape and firm texture, and found that it was exceptionally powerful for a battery-operated model.

Its replacement, the Fifty Shades of Grey Charlie Tango Classic Vibrator, is a waterproof toy made of ABS plastic, a hard material that transmits vibrations well. The toy’s surface is an easy-to-clean nonporous matte polyurethane coating that gives the plastic a soft suede-like feeling and lacks the slipperiness of uncoated plastic models. The classic oblong shape makes it easy to use either vaginally or clitorally, and it’s also slim enough to be convenient for partner play. Although the vibrations are not as strong as those of the We-Vibe Tango, a former also-great pick, they exceed the power of the vibrations of our previous budget pick, the CalExotics Silver Bullet. Though the Charlie Tango offers less variability in speed than the Silver Bullet, its three speeds provide a decent range of intensity, with the bonus of four vibration patterns. You can easily operate the toy with its single button, which you press to turn it on and cycle through patterns, and then hold down to turn it off. The only major drawback of this toy is that it is non-rechargeable, requiring two AA batteries.

While we preferred the look of the discontinued, Tokidoki-branded version of this vibrator, the all-gray Charlie Tango, with its relatively small Fifty Shades of Grey logo, is comparatively discreet-looking. We’ll keep an eye out for additional colors and designs.

Also great: Zumio Classic

Photo: Bianca Jarvis

Also great

This toy’s oscillating stem is the best thing we have found for focusing intense stimulation on the most sensitive parts of the vulva and clitoris. However, the sensation may not satisfy those who prefer the more diffuse, broader stimulation of larger toys like the Magic Wand.

Buying Options

Though the Zumio Classic’s unusual shape resembles that of a thermometer or oral hygiene device, the toy’s narrow stem and rounded tip deliver sensations more precisely than any other vibrator we have tested. This toy is ideal for those who like to focus stimulation on a particular part of the clitoris or vulva, as the small surface area of the oscillating hard plastic tip causes the vibrations to feel more concentrated in the areas they come in contact with. The tip easily slides between outer labia and can be manipulated using its lightweight outer handle.

The Zumio measures about 7 inches long (the handle itself is a little over 5 inches long; the tip is a bit shorter than 2 inches). It is lightweight, comfortable to hold (almost like a writing utensil), and small enough to fit in a purse. The Zumio has a remarkably unfussy control panel on the upper side of its purple silicone and plastic handle, with an on-off button and up/down buttons with eight levels of intensity. The Zumio does not offer multiple vibration patterns (unlike many other toys in its price range), but this is a feature that the majority of people we surveyed in our early research found to be superfluous and, at times, annoying. The toy is rechargeable using a USB cable connected to a cradle that looks uncannily similar to an electric toothbrush charger. According to Zumio, the Classic “is waterproof and can withstand being in 1 meters (3 feet) of water for a brief period of time,” which means it’s probably fine to wash this toy in the sink, but you might not want to use it in the bathtub.

Zumio’s marketing materials boast that it is possible to have an orgasm in under one minute by using the toy in a prescribed manner. As a sex educator I must give the caveat that people’s bodies are different, and that there is no one toy or method that can give 100 percent of people an orgasm in one minute or less. That said, this toy produces intense sensations, and is intuitive to use for both solo and partner play. What really separates this toy from others we’ve tested is how easily it enables direct stimulation at a particular area without a lot of awkward fumbling adjustments, and how smoothly its tip can be moved around the clitoris and vulva to create different types of sensations. This ease of mobility is particularly amazing at the moment of orgasm, as it was relatively simple to adjust the placement of the toy to create exactly the sensations needed to get over the edge.

The small tip makes this toy excellent for partner play, as it does not significantly block access to the vulva and vagina, and the handle is long enough to be held comfortably by either partner. This toy might also work well for people with arthritis or limited mobility in their hands, as it is lightweight and requires minimal flexion and reaching because of the length of the handle and the way it rests toward the front of the body.

The primary drawback of the Zumio is the price (which rivals that of our top pick, the Magic Wand Rechargeable). People who prefer the deeper, more diffuse sensations created by high-powered wand toys may find this vibrator inadequate as well. We found that the Zumio delivered more in the way of intense surface-level sensations, but less of the broad, deep internal clitoral stimulation created by the Magic Wand.

Why spend $100-plus on a vibrator?

There are plenty of vibrators that cost less than $100 (our budget pick included), and someone who is new to this type of sex toy may find a less expensive model useful to help determine if the general sensation is something they enjoy. But for people who already know they like using a vibrator, our $100-plus picks are reliable and well worth the investment. All are body safe, easy to clean, and long-lasting.

What makes a toy “body safe”

This blog post from the Kinsey Institute gives a helpful overview, but in a nutshell, body-safe toys are:

Nonporous: Such devices are less likely to trap bacteria, viruses, or fungi after proper cleaning.

Nontoxic: High-quality toys will not off-gas or leach chemicals that the body’s mucous membranes can absorb.

Materials considered to be body-safe include 100 percent silicone (some toys that manufacturers bill as silicone are sometimes made from a blend of silicone and other materials, so you should make sure that the toy is actually 100 percent silicone), all types of glass, metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, certain types of treated wood, ceramics, and hard, nonporous plastics such as ABS, lucite, and acrylic.

The presence of possibly toxic chemicals in sex toys has been a source of significant concern in the sex-toy aficionado community. Sex toys are still not well-researched (beyond this study by the Danish counterpart to the EPA [PDF]) or regulated by any consumer-safety agencies. The researchers behind the Danish report name six hazardous substances that they found in the studied sex toys, and they conclude that “normal” usage of the tested toys (which they define as 15 minutes once a week) is safe, provided the user is not pregnant or breastfeeding. However, the anus and rectum are delicate mucous membranes that are highly absorptive and prone to irritation, and many people use their toys more frequently than 15 minutes per week. For this reason, we decided to err on the side of caution and choose toys made from high-quality, nonporous materials for this guide.

Care and maintenance

You can find some detailed guides on how to use a vibrator here, here, and here.

Keeping sex toys clean is extremely important for preventing bacterial and yeast infections, especially if you share your toys with partners. We recommend that you cover your toys with a condom when sharing them with partners, especially if it’s someone with whom you are not fluid-bonded (that is, you typically use barriers for other types of sexual activity).

If you’re using a toy with a condom, make sure that the condom covers the entire surface that comes in contact with your genitals. The condom should be thin enough for you to see, feel, and press the buttons through the barrier. Do not use oil-based lubricants with condoms, and make sure to remove and dispose of the condom directly after use. Do not reuse condoms with toys, as that practice is unsanitary and a sure way to encourage the condom to break.

Waterproof toys made from nonporous materials such as silicone and stainless steel can tolerate washing with soap and warm water. If you have non-waterproof toys, carefully wipe them clean with a solution of soap and warm water. Spray-on toy cleanser can be useful for toys that you cannot submerge. Dangerous Lilly offers a great in-depth guide to caring for a variety of toy materials.

Generally you don’t need to disinfect toys that only one person uses or that stay covered with condoms. Some nonporous, nonmotorized toys can go into the dishwasher without soap for steam-sanitizing. Alternatively, you can boil most nonmotorized, nonporous toys in hot water. You can soak waterproof toys of all stripes in 10 percent bleach solution for 10 minutes to disinfect them, and thoroughly wash them with soap and water afterward.

We recommend storing toys in boxes or pouches to keep them dust-free and putting them in a cool, dark place where they will not have exposure to direct sunlight. Many high-end manufacturers include free cloth pouches or attractive storage boxes with a toy.

A note on lubricants

If you wish to use a lubricant with your toy, we recommend water-based lube, because it is safe to use with all types of toys. Oil-based lubricants are not only unsafe for use with condoms, but they can also interact badly with toys made of soft plastic or rubber, causing the devices to disintegrate or to leach chemicals (PDF). Silicone lubricants are great for anal play, but unfortunately they interact negatively with silicone toys.

Several prominent sex educators have recently claimed that the interactions between silicone lube and toys are overstated, so we decided to conduct our own test. We applied a quarter-sized amount of Überlube brand silicone lubricant to a patch toward the base of nine different toys, rubbed it into the surface of each toy for one minute to simulate friction, and then left the toys to sit for an hour.

We recommend water-based lube, because it is safe to use with all types of toys.

At the end of this experiment, we discovered that the lube had an effect on every single toy. In the best instances, the patch exposed to lube appeared slightly raised; in the worst cases, the lube completely removed the finish from the toy, causing it to become gummy, sticky, and blistered. The staff at Early to Bed replicated our test and found similar results.

Gumminess and blistering appeared on the base of the Siren dildo after we exposed it to silicone lubricant and then washed it. Photo: Bianca Jarvis

In some cases you can scrub off the stickiness, but we do not recommend using silicone lubricants with silicone toys, because we don’t really know how the lubricants will affect the porosity and integrity of the toys over time.

Many high-end sex-toy companies offer limited warranties or guarantees in the event that your toy breaks within a certain amount of time (typically one to three years). In order to redeem your warranty, you will need to purchase the toy from a licensed retailer (due to problems with counterfeit toys being sold on Amazon and eBay) and save the receipt.

The competition

The Magic Wand Original was our top pick for the first version of this guide, and it remains available as an excellent budget alternative to the Magic Wand Rechargeable. It still gets the job done well at a reasonable price. The Doxy Massager, however, just edged out the Original as our runner-up pick. The Original’s cord is 3 feet shorter than that of the Doxy, which also offers more vibration speeds and is more aesthetically pleasing.

We also looked at some smaller, battery-operated or rechargeable alternatives to the Magic Wand, including the Lelo Smart Wand, the Mystic Wand, and the Palm Power Massager. None seemed able to replace the Magic Wand in terms of both time-tested power and value, although the Doxy Massager emerged as a close second.

The Doxy Number 3 is a smaller, quieter version of our runner-up pick. Although this sleek wand is both aesthetically pleasing and powerful, it is not rechargeable, and is significantly more expensive than both the Magic Wand Rechargeable and the original Doxy Massager, making it a less appealing option.

We tried Svakom’s Emma wand as a possible competitor to the Magic Wand. Svakom makes high-quality, rechargeable silicone toys at affordable prices. The company also has some cool technology, such as a vibrator with a built-in camera function (the Siime Eye). Our tester liked the versatility of the Emma (it works great as both a clitoral vibrator and a G-spot toy), as well as the heating function (which helps boost arousal by increasing circulation to the vulva) and the duck-bill-shaped attachment. However, the vibrations could not rival the power of the Magic Wand, and the control panel was a bit confusing and finicky.

We still love the tiny but superpowerful We-Vibe Tango, which was an also-great pick in previous versions of this guide. It’s a good value for a rechargeable, bullet-style toy that is small enough to fit in your pocket, but capable of delivering the rumbly intensity of a much larger vibrator. Though we recommend this as a starter vibrator, some of our testers found that the hard plastic became slippery and difficult to hold when it came in contact with lubricant.

Lelo’s Siri 2 was our runner-up in the last update. Although the Siri 2 is a fine toy, it’s a bit expensive compared with similar competing vibrators that are more streamlined and less gimmicky. We also tested Lelo’s classic hard-plastic Nea 2, which was plenty powerful for its tiny size but could not compare with the ultra-intense vibrations of the We-Vibe Tango.

Jimmyjane’s Form vibrators, particularly the membrane-like Form 3 and bowling-pin-shaped Form 4, had their fans, but overall the Form 2 seemed to be the most popular of the series, and that model was our runner-up pick in the first version of this guide. The Jimmyjane Form 2 is less intuitive and easy to use than other models we tested: Though some of our testers loved the Form 2’s dual-prong design, others found it frustrating or confusing.

The vibrations of Je Joue’s Mimi felt jerky and choppy at the lower speeds and caused the motor to make wheezing noises. This toy works best when you use it at its maximum setting, provided that the maximum setting is not too strong or weak for your personal tastes.

The futuristic-looking Eroscillator offers stimulation through oscillation rather than vibration, but reviews indicate that it can be hit or miss for people, and the price seems a bit too high.

The Womanizer 500, despite its bizarre name, was one of our also-great picks for its unique combination of suction and vibration. But it was discontinued. The W500 accurately replicated the sensation of oral sex compared to the other toys we tested. Despite its odd design it had an accessible control panel that made it fairly easy to operate.

The Satisfyer Pro 2 uses similar suction technology as the Womanizer W500. However, our tester found that the nozzle on the Satisfyer was made of a harder material and was less contoured to the shape of the clitoris, making this toy less comfortable and more difficult to position correctly to achieve proper suction.

The Sona Cruise is Lelo’s take on the suction vibrator. Our tester found the Sona Cruise felt significantly more intense compared with the Womanizer W500, to the extent that it felt uncomfortably strong even on the lowest setting. However, some reviewers have noted that they prefer the intensity of the Sona Cruise to the more subtle sensations of the Womanizer. The toy was both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean, but it’s been discontinued.

Dame’s Eva vibrator was appealing in concept as a “hands-free, strap-free, non-intrusive couples’ vibrator.” Unfortunately, neither of our testers found that it stayed in place well: “The only issue with the thing is its strapless design, which means that during PIV [penis-in-vagina intercourse] the thing just falls right off unless you’re flat on your back and trying your best not to move too much. Too much focusing on keeping the toy in place takes attention away from the act itself.” Others found it too weak and “buzzy” to be satisfying.

The Wahl All-Body Massage is a popular budget alternative to the Magic Wand, featuring intense power concentrated in a smaller head, but users report that it breaks more easily.

Footnotes

I’m referring to people by their genitalia and not by their gender in this case, at the suggestion of Searah Deysach, owner of toy store Early to Bed and the website FtM Essentials, to make this guide more inclusive. Not all people who have penises identify as men, and not all people who have vaginas identify as women.

We recruited testers on a volunteer basis and did not give them any compensation for their participation other than free sex toys. None of our testers currently have any ties to the sex-toy industry as bloggers or as employees of any sex-toy retailer or manufacturer.